M.Muthukumar, v. Psg College Of Technology,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 21.09.2016

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM W.P.No.32824 of 2016 M.Muthukumar ... Petitioner vs.

1.PSG College of Technology rep. by its Registrar P.B.1609, Avinashi Road Coimbatore.

2.Anna University rep. by its Registrar Sardar Patel Road, Old Highways Building Guindy, Chennai 600 025.

3.The Secretary Government, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Chennai-600003.

(R3 suo motu impleaded as per the order of this Court in this Writ Petition dt 21.09.2016) ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a writ of Mandamus to direct the second respondent to issue 'no objection certificate' treating Mechanical Engineering course as equivalent to Production Engineering (Sandwich) course.

For Petitioner :Mr.V.Raghavachari For Respondents :Mr.A.Jenasenan - R1 Standing Counsel Mr.M.Vijayakumar - R2 Standing Counsel

O R D E R

Heard Mr.V.Raghavachari, learned Counsel is appearing for the petitioner, Mr.Mr.A.Jenasenan, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the first respondent and Mr.M.Vijayakumar, learned Standing Counsel, appearing for the second respondent. With the consent of the learned counsel appearing on either side, the Writ Petition itself is taken up for final disposal.

2.In this Writ Petition, the petitioner seeks for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the second respondent to issue 'no objection certificate' and treat the Mechanical Engineering course as equivalent to Production Engineering (Sandwich) course. 3.Neither the University nor the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, can pass orders for equivalence of Degrees, and it is only the Equivalence Committee constituted by the Government of Tamil Nadu can consider the said issue. In fact, the Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department has addressed the Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, by letter dated 09.09.

2016, which is to the following effect: Thus, it is seen that it is the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, which has to place the matter before the Equivalence Committee, and the said Committee has to take a decision on such issue. However, in this Writ Petition, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, is not a party and in order to give effective direction, the Secretary Government, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Chennai-600003, is suo motu impleaded as the third respondent.

4.In the light of the above the third respondent is directed to take into consideration the letter given by the Secretary to Government Education, Higher Education (J1) Department, dated 09.09.2016, referred above, and take an expeditious action to place the matter before the Equivalence Committee, preferably, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

The Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. -sd/- Assistant Registrar / TRUE COPY / Sub-Assistant Registrar rpa To 1.The Registrar Anna University Sardar Patel Road, Old Highways Building Guindy, Chennai 600 025.

2.The Secretary Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Chennai-600003.

+1 cc to MR.V.RAGHAVACHARI,Advocate SR.NO. 53710 +1 cc to MR.VIJAYAKUMAR,Advocate SR.NO. 53684 W.P.No. 32824 of 2016 nrjk[co] RD : 18/10/2016